You may have heard that it’s important to check for cracks in your foundation. But why? What should you do if you find cracks in your foundation?
Cracks in your foundation can potentially weaken your home and lead to significant, expensive damage. Fortunately, cracks in your foundation are easy to detect and easy to fix. If you find any cracks in your foundation, here’s what you should do.
Figure out where the cracks are
The first step is to find out where the cracks are. This will help you decide what to do next.
- Take several photos of the foundation and surrounding area
- Measure the cracks
- Inspect nearby structures
- Examine the history of the house
- Inspect nearby homes
- Inspect the soil beneath your home
Install caulk where necessary
If you discover that the cracks are on your walls or floors, the best thing to do is to install caulk where necessary.
- Use a caulking gun to apply a bead of caulk in the crack
- Run a caulking spatula along the top and bottom edges of the caulk to ensure it’s solid
- Let the caulk cure for 24 hours
Look into getting the home inspected
If you find cracks in your foundation that are on the surface of your home, you can probably ignore them. But if the cracks are in the wall or floor, you should look into getting the home inspected.
- Inspect the structure of your home for signs of structural weakness
- Inspect the plumbing for leaks
- Inspect the electrical for exposed wires
- Inspect the roof for signs of problems
- Inspect the windows and doors for proper operation
- Have the home inspected yearly
Make repairs as soon as possible
If you find any cracks in your foundation, you should make repairs as soon as possible. This will ensure that the cracks do not get any larger and that the foundation remains stable.
- Patch any large cracks with concrete or mortar
- Use a Stanley knife to fill in any small cracks
- Call a contractor to make repairs
Learn how to prevent cracks from forming in the future
The best thing you can do to prevent cracks from forming in your foundation is to prepare for them. Unfortunately, this means not using your home as an indoor gun range. Here are some things you can do to prevent cracks from forming in the future.
- Always clean your firearms before storing them
- Store your firearms in a safe place
- Inspect your home for signs of excessive damage
- Repair any signs of excessive damage
- Do not overload your home with too much weight
- Make sure your home is properly supported
If you have children, you should also consider installing a safe room in your home. A safe room is an area inside your home that is specially designed to protect you and your family from injury or death.
Call a contractor to make repairs
If you find any cracks in your foundation, you should call a contractor to make repairs. While it’s possible to repair some cracks on your own, it’s best to call a contractor to avoid any damage to your home.
- Identify the cracks
- Install Caulk where necessary
- Look into getting the home inspected
- Make repairs as soon as possible
- Call a contractor to make repairs
Conclusion
Cracks in your foundation can weaken your home, cause structural problems, and could even lead to your house collapsing.
If you have children, you should also consider installing a safe room in your home. A safe room is an area inside your home that is specially designed to protect you and your family from injury or death.
